How to trade shares

Getting started with shares trading

Previously in what is shares trading, we explored the history of shares and the key reasons that affect their prices. Now that you have a solid understanding of the unique characteristics of the stock markets, let’s explore the different ways to trade shares along with their advantages and disadvantages.

There are two ways to get involved in shares trading: investing and CFD trading. It is vital for a trader to understand how each one works before getting started because of the financial implications each approach can have on the profits and losses made.

More on shares trading

Investing in shares

Investing refers to buying the actual share from an exchange with the aim to profit in the long-term. Such an investment is usually held for a number of years, in some cases even decades, before materialising profits. When you own shares you are also eligible for dividends (the amount of profit a company distributes back to the shareholders). However, this is not a stream of income shareholders can rely on, as the decision for dividends is exclusively made by the company’s management.

Such investors are less sensitive to short-term fluctuations, because they are typically focused on fundamentals and the long-term potential for profit. Buying actual shares requires dealing with an exchange and it typically involves commission fees. Another point of consideration is the fact that profits from shares trading on an exchange are subject to taxation.

Trading shares CFDs

Trading share CFDs, on the other hand, is a more frequent type of trading, which involves buying and selling with the aim to capitalize on shorter-term fluctuations. One major difference to investing is that with shares CFDs, you are not really buying the actual share. What you do instead is speculate on whether the price of a share will go up or down. Below we take a look at the key reasons that make traders chose share CFDs as opposed to owning them.

Go long and short

Since CFD trading does not involved the purchase of the actual share, it allows traders to profit on falling prices for shares that they have never owned. The ability to go short on shares is the reason CFDs are considered a flexible form of trading.

Leverage

Another important consideration is the capital required to start. When investing in shares, you have to pay the total amount of the shares that you want to purchase. This is an inhibitive factor for many aspiring traders, as it requires a substantial starting capital. Let’s say that you are confident about the price of the Facebook share and want to open a position with £200. Should you make use of a 10:1 leverage, you will be able to open a trade of £2,000.

Commission

Buying shares on an exchange typically involves a commission fee for the service provided. Although some online brokers do charge commission for trading shares CFDs, it is worth noting that not all brokers do. Doing your due diligence on brokers’ fees before opening an account is imperative.

Tax

Profits made from investing in shares are treated as income and are subject to tax, depending on the jurisdictions, as well as stamp duty in the case of UK residents. When it comes to CFDs, though, there is no stamp duty to be paid, because there is no ownership involved.

Are you ready to trade shares live?

Investing in shares vs. trading shares CFDs

Below we have summed up the differences between investing and trading shares CFDs to help traders decide what suits their trading style and financial goals best.

*Applicable to UK residents only
**Trading share CFDs at ThinkMarkets does not involve commissions. Please check with your broker to ensure that you know the exact fees you are paying when trading shares online.

Who trades share CFDs

Online traders are increasingly choosing to add shares to their trading for different reasons each. Below we take a look at the types of traders and their motivation:

Forex traders often get involved in shares trading in order to diversify their portfolio.

Indices traders are the ones who are most heavily involved in shares trading as indices and shares can be traded in-tandem in order to hedge your exposure in the markets.

Commodities traders are likely to trade shares of the oil, gas and mining sectors due to their knowledge of the commodity markets.

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